XBLM in March: Lara Croft deals, MvC3 and Dragon Age 2 DLC, free Gold weekend

Major Nelson has posted highlights from the Xbox Live Marketplace schedule for March. First up, the Dragon Age 2 "Black Emporium" DLC -- free to those who purchase new copies of the game -- will land on March 8 for 800 points ($10). Second, as promised, bonus characters Jill and Shuma Gorath will be available for Marvel vs. Capcom 3 on March 15 for 400 points ($5) each.

In other XBLM happenings, March 7 kicks off a Lara Croft themed "Deal of the Week," which will see Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light knocked down to 600 points ($7.50). Lara Croft DLC will also be discounted by fifty percent. Also, the week of March 14 will see several St. Patrick's Day deals, notably some discounted Green Day DLC (green -- geddit?) and Social Distortion's "Bad Luck" for Rock Band.

Finally, Xbox Live Silver members can enjoy free Xbox Live Gold this weekend, beginning Friday, March 4 at 12PM ET through Monday, March 7 at 12PM ET. Head past the break for a more complete schedule of releases.

Deal of the Week

Week of March 7

• Lara Croft & The Guardian of Light 1200 600 ($7.50)
• Raziel & Kane Character Pack 400 200 ($2.50)
• A Hazardous Reunion Challenge Pack 3 400 200 ($2.50)
• All the Trappings Challenge Pack 1 400 200 ($2.50)
• T-Rex Pet 240 120 ($1.50)

Week of March 14

• Clover: A Curious Tale 400 200 ($2.50)
• Rock Band - "Bad Luck" 160 80 ($1)
• Rock Band - Green Day Pack 01 440 220 ($2.75)
• Lips - "Some Guys Have All The Luck" 160 80 ($1)
• Lips - "Chasing Cars" 160 80 ($1)
• Green Avatar Tux 240 120 ($1.50)
• Leprechaun Avatar Prop 240 120 ($1.50)
• Green Shamrock Avatar Tee 80 40 ($0.50)
• Red Dead Redemption Irish T-Shirt 80 40 ($0.50)
• NBA2K11 Celtics Jersey 240 120 ($1.50)

Avatar Marketplace

• March 3: Robots
• March 10: Halo: Reach collection update

Downloadable content

March 8

• Dragon Age 2 Exiled Prince 560 ($7)
• Dragon Age 2 The Black Emporium 800 ($10)
• Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Porsche Unleashed 560 ($7)
• (March 8-14) Your Shape: Fitness Evolved DLC Sale 50%-60% off

March 15

• Halo: Reach Defiant Map Pack 800 ($10)
• Marvel vs. Capcom 3 Jill Character 400 ($5)
• Marvel vs. Capcom 3 Shuma Character 400 ($5)

Xbox Live Arcade

• March 9th: Torchlight 1200 ($15)
• March 16th: Full House Poker 800 ($10)

Xbox 360 Games on Demand

• March 8: Kane & Lynch 2
• March 15: Halo: Reach